Username: literal.swag.
Cat Name: Helios
Gender: Male
Rank: group member (class clown)
Clan: amaryllis groupAge: 2 years old
Prompt: [ 640 words ]
The wind howled outside, slashing violently against the cabin’s windows. The hinges shuddered softly, fighting the strength of the blizzard outside. Inside the fire popped and crackled, a direct contrast to the blistering cold outside. Before the fire sat a brown tom-cat joined by a handful of kits and a few other older cats. The kits were oblivious to the surge outside but the elders knew better.
“I’m sorry little ones, but it seems like the weather might be too bad for Santa Claws this year. Nor can we go out and make snow cats.” One of the older cats sighed, jumping down from the windowsill and shaking the incessant chill from being so close to the outside from their bones. The kits wailed in protests, cries of ‘No!!’, ‘Come onnnnn!’ and ‘Awwwww’ echoed around the fireplace, drowning out the gentle roar of the flames beside them.
Helios frowned softly and remembered back to when he was so little. This holiday used to be his favorite, and the visiting of Santa was his favorite part. He always enjoyed the thrill of trying to catch the mythical tom in the act. He used to fight sleep with all his might, despite the feeling of having five pound weights hanging from his eyelids. He’d always just wake up in the morning with no recollection of falling asleep and rushing downstairs to see what was delivered. Helios loved to see the plate of tuna eaten and tiny bowl of milk being lapped up completely. Frustration overtook the tom before ideas began to form. The kits in the meantime, have seen to forget the disappointment laid out to them moments ago.
The other elders chuckled softly amongst themselves. It was growing peaceful, until it seemed as if one of the kits remembered their presents. “Hey!” They cried, “What about our presents?!” They demanded, and the rest chimed in, backing up the desire for gifts. The elders exchanged glances before the eldest, like before, sat to distribute the bad news.
“I’m sorry little ones, but if Santa doesn’t come there’s going to be no presents.” The eldest sighed, and the kits began to wail. As the young ones threw a fit, an idea popped into Helios’s head. Remembering back to last Halloween, Helios slinked off to find his costume. After digging around for a bit, the tom pulled out the clothing, praying that it still fits. It might’ve taken some wiggling and some sucking in of his new size, Helios was now decked out in something he hoped would satiate the kits. With a last minute thought, he gathered some older toys of his and shoved them in a small bag, stepping into the string of the bag so it tied around his waist.
He hit behind the corner, calling out, “I heard there’s some kits in need of cheer in here!” He heard the kits squeal excitedly in response. Helios grinned to himself before prancing around from behind the corner. The kits went crazy, rushing up to him and bouncing excitedly before him.
“Oh my god a reindeer!”
“Maybe Santa really is coming!”
“Yayyy presents!!”
Helios chuckled, tail waving high with excitement. “Sadly, Santa won’t be able to make it, but I’m here on his behalf with some presents for the kits on the top of the nice list!” The kits burst out into cheers. “Here, everyone take one.” He stepped out of the string and the bag fell open, revealing slightly beat-up toys but the kits didn’t seem to mind. They dove into the pile, each running off with their own new toy. They congregated back around the fireplace, giggling and laughing away. The elders came up to Helios, congratulating him for his last-minute thinking. They patted his back with their tails. Helios beamed, proud that he could keep the Christmas cheer alive.